Vision, Mission & Aims
Operation Thiba to Combat Stock theft in Limpopo Province
The South African Police Service initiated Operation Thiba in the Limpopo Province in January of 2004. The local police department, farmers' organisations, the Departments of Health, Agriculture, and Safety and Security, Chiefs and Indunos are combating stock theft in Limpopo Province. The partnerships created under Operation Thiba ensured thorough investigation of cases involving theft of cattle and sheep, through community involvement, and more rigorous compliance with legislation.
To address issues involving the lack of fencing around grazing camps, unregistered and tampering with brand marks, unreported cases of theft, and police corruption a Limpopo Province Livestock Summit was held in October 2004. Members of the Summit included the Department of Health, Safety and Security, Public Works, the South African Police Service, Farmers Unions, small famers, Community Based Organisations, and Chiefs and Indunos. Resolutions were made including a police strategy to combat livestock theft, improved intelligence on stock theft syndicates, reporting and follow up on all cases, regular feedback to people effected by theft, conduct awareness campaigns to educate local communities about laws pertaining to livestock, improved capacity for local farmer unions to respond promptly to theft, and incremental fencing of all grazing land near roads administered by the Department of Public Works. Another new aspect of the means to fight theft is the incorporation of mobile technology.
During 2001 and 2004 livestock theft reached unprecedented levels in Limpopo. For people located in the villages the importance of livestock cannot be understated as it represents a major source of individual or family wealth, social standing in the community and a means to generate capital to cover unforeseen emergencies.
Innovation
The use of DNA samples of stock for comparison in cases that have been brought before the authority, and embedding microchips into cattle to assist in locating lost or stolen stock. Also, creative partnerships and teamwork relying on the use of mobile technology allows for a collaborative solution to one of the oldest crimes in South Africa.
Effectiveness
A unique feature of the project has been the
ability for all the members to take responsibility for the
resolutions agreed to at the summit, and work towards the
implementation of common goals. This has resulted in a 60% drop in
stock theft since its inception. Within 2 months of the project
beginning, 949 cattle and 265 sheep were recovered. Over the course
of a year, 189 arrests have been made and 89 convictions
achieved.
Poverty Impact
The local communities have benefited through the retrieval of stolen
stock, and improved combating of theft. The community
has expressed enthusiasm by helping in a number of cases by
providing evidence to the police.
Sustainability
As a measure of the project's success in Limpopo the budget has been increased from R2.79-million to R2.9-million.
Replication
The model and goals that have been achieved can be replicated in
provinces such as the KwaZulu-Natal, Eastern Cape and the North West
Cape where the problem is particularly severe. Also,
cross-border co-operation between SAPS and their counterparts in
Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique has been encouraging.
Partnerships
- South African Police Service (SAPS)
- Provincial Departments of Agriculture, Health and Safety and Security
- Public Works
- Farmers Unions
- Small farmers
- Community Based Organisations
- Chiefs and Indunos
